Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All Vintages
This esteemed estate has been passed on from generation to generation for more than 125 years.
Today, Florence Quiot and her brother Jean-Baptiste take a hands-on approach and dedicate themselves to continuing a tradition of the highest quality estate bottled wines. Their vineyards are spread across 6 appellations of the Southern Rhone valley; and, for all, they take the long view, often waiting years before replanting a parcel to ensure conditions in the soil are perfect for vines to thrive for 100 years or more.
The winery itself is located on the Trignon “river” (it’s a stream) dividing Sablet and Gigondas, with the buildings on the Gigondas side. This is also where the most cherished vines reside. They are lucky to have parcels from the base to the very highest altitudes of the appellation allowing them to achieve great complexity and protect each vintage from localized problems. They also have beautiful parcels in Vacqueyras, Rasteau, Sablet, Plan de Dieu, Beaumes de Venise and Côtes du Rhone.
The winery itself was upgraded to make use of gravity flow, protecting the grapes from damage, and preserving their most delicate characteristics.
The Quiot family has been working in the vineyards of the Rhône valley since at least 1748. They have a great respect for the terroir and work hard to produce rich, approachable, terroir-oriented wines which can be found in the best restaurants around the country.
The Southern Rhône region of Gigondas extends northwest from the notably jagged wall of mountains called the Dentelles di Montmirail, whose highest point climbs to about 2,600 feet. The region and its wines have much in common with the neighboring Chateauneuf-du-Pape except that the vineyards of Gigondas exist at higher elevation and its soils, comprised mainly of crumbled limestone from the Dentelles, often produce a more dense and robust Grenache-based red wine.
The region has a history of fine winemaking, extending back to Roman times. But by the 20th century, Gigondas was merely lumped into the less distinct zone of Côtes du Rhône Villages. However, it was first among these satellite villages to earn its own appellation, which occurred in 1971.
Gigondas reds must be between 50 to 100% Grenache with Syrah and Mourvèdre comprising the bulk of the remainder of the blend. They tend express rustic flavors and aromas of wild blackberry, raspberry, fig, plum, as well as juniper, dried herbs, anise, smoke and river rock. The best are bold but balanced, and finish with impressively sexy and velvety tannins.
The Gigondas appellation also produces rosé but no white wines.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.